What happened when Gillian Duffy met Ed Miliband?

The woman infamously branded a bigot by Gordon Brown met the new Labour leader at his first big speech. Grandmother Gillian Duffy, who was called a ‘bigoted woman’ by the former Prime Minister on his pre-election trip to Rochdale, was among the audience for Ed Miliband’s speech on Tuesday.

The woman infamously branded a bigot by Gordon Brown met the new Labour leader at his first big speech.

Grandmother Gillian Duffy, who was called a ‘bigoted woman’ by the former Prime Minister on his pre-election trip to Rochdale, was among the audience for Ed Miliband’s speech on Tuesday.

Mr Miliband stopped for a handshake and a chat as he left the stage following his address.

Spotting her in the crowd he said: "Hello Mrs Duffy."

A clearly impressed Mrs Duffy told Mr Miliband his speech had been "very good, very good - smashing" and he replied "thank you. I look forward to seeing you."

Mrs Duffy’s encounter with Gordon Brown, after she popped out to buy a loaf of bread, was the defining moment of his election campaign this year.

The former Prime Minister branded her ‘bigoted’, unaware his microphone was still live, following her comment about Eastern European immigrants. Speaking to ITV News after Mr Miliband’s speech, Mrs Duffy said: "I thought he came across really well.

"From Saturday until now he’s really matured.

"He’s really giving himself to the conference.

"I think we’ll win next time."

According to aides, Mr Miliband was hoping to find time to enjoy a cup of tea with Mrs Duffy before the conference ended on Thursday.

The 66-year-old retired children’s carer and lifelong Labour supporter has become a friend of the new Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk since he won the seat in May - a week after the incident that catapulted her into the spotlight.

Last month she formally opened his new constituency office and on the same day signed up to become a member of the Labour party.

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